Weekend Watch: Week 12 Games of the Week
Each week, PaPreps will highlight some of the more intriguing match-ups of the weekend, from interesting locations to milestone moments to premium contenders going at it, we'll try and grab the best potential games of the weekend.
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Later Friday night and again on Saturday, we'll post scores from around the state as they come across the Associated Press wire.
Week 12 Games of the Week
Dunmore at Old Forge
Buzz: One of several rematches throughout the state is in the District 2 Class A championship game. Old Forge won the regular season game 21-0 at home, and that's where they'll be once again. Dunmore couldn't do anything against Old Forge's defense, which is the third stingiest in Class A in the state. But Dunmore's only loss this year was in that loss, and there's nothing quite like the quest for revenge in a win-or-go-home playoff game.
Tri-Valley at Williams Valley
Buzz: The winner of the District 2 title game above could potentially meet the winner of this game, the District 11 title game, in the state quarterfinals. It's also a rematch, and this one was even closer, as Williams Valley won 14-12 on the road at Tri-Valley. The difference was a two-point conversion in overtime. Expect much of the same this week, with the key being which defense shows up. Williams Valley would appear to be the tougher group to stop, as they bring in a 1,600-yard passer and 1,300-yard rusher. Tri-Valley leans on its run game and run game alone.
South Fayette vs. Washingtonc
Buzz: While the other semifinal, a rematch of last year's WPIAL Class AA final between Aliquippa and Jeannette, gets more publicity, this one could prove to be just as interesting, if not more so. The two teams are about as different as it gets. South Fayette slings the ball all over the place, racking up 49 points per game on the arm of sophomore QB Brett Brumbaugh. Washington runs, runs, and runs, courtesy of athletes like WPIAL-leading rusher Shai McKenzie. The key might be South Fayette's defense, which has allowed just five points per game.
Imhotep Charter vs. West Catholic
Buzz: Much like the Philadelphia Catholic League Class AAAA title between St. Joseph's Prep and La Salle, this could be a game that changes the outlook of District 12. The Class AA championship game features a West Catholic program that's dominated the classification since the PCL joined District 12 in 2008. But thanks in large part to an influx of transfers, including former West Catholic RB David Williams, Imhotep is undefeated and the buzz of the eastern half of the state. But they're also relatively untested, and West Catholic's size and experience will be their most difficult test.
Thomas Jefferson vs. West Allegheny
Buzz: Two of the most successful coaches in the WPIAL will renew acquaintances in the Class AAA semifinal. Bill Cherpak has taken a little time to rework Thomas Jefferson into a power again this year, and T.J. has been one of the favorites to win the WPIAL all season long thanks to a powerful passing game. West Allegheny is perennially a good team under Bob Palko, but few picked West Allegheny to emerge out of the Parkway. Montour and Central Valley were the favorites, but while Central Valley is still alive in the other semifinal, Montour is done thanks to West A. West Allegheny held Montour to five points in two games after the Spartans scored 38 points per game in their other nine. Look for West A to try some of the same schemes against T.J.
Delaware Valley at Scranton
Buzz: This was a wild one the last time, with Scranton scoring a late touchdown to win 34-27. Scranton QB Marlinn Waiters and WR Karlon Quiller were explosive in that game, combining on eight receptions for 243 of Waiters' 318 yards. Scranton also had a strong running game with Jake McCarthy picking up 124 yards on 28 carries while scoring the only TD that Quiller did not pick up. Delaware Valley did it mostly on the ground, thanks to 206 yards from Joe Santiago. Scranton kept QB Bryan Schor in check, as his 95 passing yards were his fewest of the season. Schor's performance might be the key to determining a winner and loser in the rematch.
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